Follower for filing drawers



June 9, 1936- G, GOURLEY ET AL I 2,043,323

FOLLOWER FOR FILING DRAWERS Filed Sept. 14, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Mm mm G. T. GOURLIEY ET AL FOLLOWER FOR FILING DRAWERS Filed Sept." 14', 1934 2 Sheets-{Sheet 2 mll l lll lllll Patented June 9, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FOLLOWER FOR FILING DRAWERS Glenn Theodore Gourley and Frank Joseph Malat, Youngstown,

Ohio, assignors to The Application September 14, 1934, Serial No. 744,063

8 Claims.

This invention relates to followers to hold files, cards and the like properly positioned within the drawers or trays of filing cabinets, and has generally in view to provide a follower which is relatively inexpensive to produce, which is strong and durable, which is easy to adjust, and which embodies novel holding means whereby it is retained positively and securely in any position to which it may be adjusted.

A special object of the invention is to provide a follower including a follower plate mounted within a drawer for sliding movement therealong and which remains at all times in a single, definite upright position, or, in other words, is not tiltable, and to provide novel means carried by said plate for cooperation witha longitudinally extending flange formation on the drawer to securely hold said plate in any position to which it may be adjusted and, at the same time, to permit quick and easy release of said plate for adjustment thereof to any other position.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will become more fully apparent as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings. and defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings, wherein like characters of reference denote corresponding parts in the different views Figure 1 is a perspective view taken from the rear and illustrating the present follower operatively mounted within a drawer.

Figure 2 is a rear elevation of the follower, the drawer being shown in transverse section.

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a separated relationship of dilferent parts of the follower plate holding and releasing means; and

Figure 4 is a detail perspective view illustrating an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail, A designates, generally, a drawer, such as the drawer of a filing cabinet, to contain files, letters, cards or the like, designated as B, and C designates, generally, the present improved follower which is adjustable along the drawer to vary the effective capacity thereof, thereby to hold the cards or the like B in upright position.

Although the drawer A may be of any construction, it preferably is formed from sheet metal and is provided in any suitable manner, preferably at each side thereof, with means extending longitudinally thereof for guiding the follower C in its adjustments along the drawer. In the present instance the sides of the drawer are suitably provided with longitudinally extending, inwardly opening channel formations l constituting the follower guiding formations referred to, and in accordance with the invention the top Wall of each of said channels comprises an inwardly directed flange II the free or inner marginal portion of which preferably is turned downwardly to stiffen the flange.

The follower C comprises, essentially, a follower plate l2 which extends transversely of the drawer A and which has suitably formed thereon, or secured thereto, at each side thereof, a forwardly extending tongue or plate l3 to slidably yet neatly fit the related channel l0, thereby to guide the follower plate in its adjustments forwardly and rearwardly of the drawer and to hold the follower plate at all times in a single, definite, upright position. In the present instance the tongues or plates I3 comprise forwardly directed extensions of the outer, depending arms 14 of a pair of brackets l5 which are of inverted U-shape and which are secured to the follower plate I 2 at the rear face thereof, but, obviously, said tongues l3 may constitute integral formations of the follower plate; or they may be separate from said plate and also separate from said brackets I5 and may be fastened to the follower plate in any desired manner. Moreover, it is not necessary that the brackets I5 be of U-shape, as they primarily constitute supports for either a single shaft or a pair of stub shafts l6, It as shown and may, therefore, be of any suitable design to perform this function. However, from a practical and economical manufacturing standpoint, it is desirable to form the brackets as shown and to have the tongues l3 constitute integral portions of said brackets, respectively. Moreover, while the brackets l5 may be secured to the follower plate 12 in any desired manner, it is preferred, as illustrated, that the metal of the follower plate, at the top thereof, be bent 'upon itself as indicated at I! and thence directed rearwardly and downwardly to provide at the top of saidfollower plate a downwardly opening channel formation l8 for the purpose of stiffening and reinforcing said plate, and when this plate construction is employed the brackets 15 may conveniently be disposed at their tops within said channel formation where they are each effectively held against movement relative to the follower plate simply through the instrumentallty of a single screw or other fastener l9 extending through the top of the channel formation I8 into or through the top portion of each bracket.

The stub shafts I6, I6 are disposed in alinement with each other and extend parallel to the follower plate, and on the outer end of each stub shaft is fixed a dog for releasable clamping or gripping engagement with the flange I I at the related side of the drawer A. To this end each dog comprises a body portion having an outwardly directed lug 2| overlying the related flange H and a tooth-like lug 22 underlying the related flange and disposed rearwardly of the. lug 211, so that by rotation of said dogs in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figs. 1 and 3 the flanges H are gripped and the follower plate thereby is held against outward movement relative to the cardsB, while by rotation of said dogs in the opposite direction their grip is released and the follower plate is free to be moved either inwardly or outwardly. In this connnection, it will be observed that each dog 20 is provided with-a depending lug 23and that a spring 24 is coiled about the related stub shaft I8 and has its ends engaged with said lug 23 and the adjacent edge of the follower plate I2, respectively, so as to tend constantly to rotate or rock the lug 20 in a direction to grip'the related flange II. Consequently, the lugs 20 normally grip-the flanges I I and hold the follower plate against outward movement. However, since the lugs 2|, 22 have ratchet-like gripping cooperation with the flanges II, it is apparent that the follower plate may be slid forwardlyortoward the cards B simply by exerting forward pressure thereagainst.

The inner end portions of the stub shafts I6, I6 extend'inwardly beyond the inner arms of the brackets I5and have rotatably or rockably mount ed thereon a dog releasing member 25. Ihe medial portion of this member 25 is of inverted U-shape and-includes a pair of depending arms 6, 26 and a top portion 2'! connecting said arms, the arms 26 having openings receiving the inner ends of the shafts I6, respectively, whereby the member 25 is rotatably or rockably mounted, and the portion 2'I'having a tongue 28 extending upwardly therefrom through a slot 29 in the channel formation I8 and constituting a handle conveniently located for finger manipulation to rotate .or rock said member 25.

Extending outwardly from the lower ends of the arms 26, 2,6 of the member 25 are arms 30 which have their free ends disposed rearwardly of the dog lugs 23. Consequently, by pressing rearwardly on the tongue or handle 28 the dogs 20 are rotated or rocked in a direction to effect their release from the flanges I I. It thus follows that while the dogs .20v serve normally to grip the flanges II and hold thefollower plate I2 against rearward movement, the dogs may readily and easily be releasedthrough the instriunentality of thehandle 28, and that when they are released the-follower plate may be slid either rearwardly or forwardly to any desired position. It also follows that upon release of the tongue or handle 28 thesprings 24 act instantly to cause the lugs 20 to grip the flanges I I thereby to secure the follower plate in adjusted position.

A modification or alternative embodiment of the invention as described in the foregoing is illustrated in Fig. f the drawings. Referring to said flgure it willbe-observed that the dog 26 hasonlya toothed lug, 22 underlying the flange I I thatthe lug2l of the Figs. 1 ,to 3 embodiment of the-invention is eliminated, and that in lieu of the latter lug a roller 3I is mounted on the bracket I 5 to ride on top of the flange I I. Otherwise the Fig, 4 construction is or may be the same as the Figs. 1 to 3 construction and to all intents and purposes operates in the same manner as the first described construction. However, the roller 3I, besides cooperating with the toothed lug 22 to grip the flange II has the additional advantage that it constitutes an anti-friction suspension element for the follower plate. It is understood, of course, that the structure shown in Fig. 4 is duplicated at the respective sides of the follower.

Without further description it is thought that thefeaturesand advantages of the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and. it will of course be understood that changes in the form, proportion and minor details of construction may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In combination with a drawer having an in wardly directed longitudinally extending flange at least at one side thereof, a follower plate, means mounting said plate for adjustment along the drawer and serving to hold the-plate at all times in a single, definite upright position, a bracket rigid with said plate, a shaft journaled in said bracket, a dog carried by said shaft and including portions disposed above and below said flange whereby the dog is movable between flange gripping and released positions by rotation of said dog in opposite directions, respectively, spring means tending constantly to rotate said dog in a flange gripping direction, and a member rockably mounted on the plate and directly engaged with said dog for rotating the latter to a released position.

2. In combination with a drawer having an inwardly directed longitudinally extending flange at least at one side thereof, a follower plate, means mounting said plate for adjustment along the drawer and serving to hold the plate at all times in a single, definite upright position, a dog rockably mounted on the plate and having portions disposedabove and belowsaid flange whereby rocking of the dog in one direction causes the same to grip the flange and rocking of the dog in an opposite direction results in its release from the flange, spring means tending constantly to rock said dog in the direction first mentioned, and a member rockably mounted on the plate and directly engaging with said dog whereby it is effective by rocking movement to release said dog.

3. In combination with a drawer having an inwardly directed longitudinally extending flange at least at one side thereof, a follower plate, means mounting said plate for adjustment along the drawer and serving to hold the plate at all times in a single, definite upright position, said plate having a rearwardly directed flange at its top, a bracket of inverted U-shape secured rigidly to and having arms depending from said flange, a shaft rockably mounted in said arms, a dog carried by said shaft and having portions disposed above and below said drawer flange whereby rocking of thedog in one direction causes the same to grip said drawer flange and rocking of said dog in an opposite direction effects its release from said flange, spring means tending constantly to rock said dog in the direction first mentioned, a member rockably mounted on said shaft for direct cooperation with said dog to rock same to a released position, and a handle on said member extending upwardly therefrom through an opening in the flange of said follower plate.

4. In combination with a drawer having an inwardly directed longitudinally extending flange at least at one side thereof, a follower plate, means mounting said plate for adjustment along the drawer and serving to hold said plate at all times in a single, definite upright position, a roller carried by said plate and riding on top of said flange, a dog carried by said plate and rockable upwardly into gripping engagement with the underside of said flange, spring means tending constantly to rock said dog into gripping engagement with said flange, and a member carried by said plate for rocking movement to effect downward rocking movement of said dog to a released position.

5. In combination with a drawer having a longitudinally extending horizontally disposed flange at least at one side thereof, a follower plate mounted within the drawer for forward and rearward movement therealong, and flange gripping means carried by said plate, said means comprising a pair of cooperating flange gripping elements disposed above and below said flange, respectively, and movable toward and away from said flange to grip and release the same, spring means tending constantly to move said elements into gripping engagement with said flange, and means carried by the plate and directly engaged with at least one of said elements for moving the same away from said flange to effect release of the plate from said flange.

6. In combination with a drawer having an inwardly directed longitudinally extending flange at least at one side thereof, a follower plate, means mounting said follower plate for adjustment along the drawer, a dog rockably mounted on said follower plate and having portions disposed above and below said flange whereby rocking of the dog in one direction causes the same to grip the flange and rocking of the dog in an opposite direction effects its release from said flange, spring means tending constantly to rock said dog in the direction first mentioned, a lug on the dog, and a member rockably mounted on the plate and engaged with said lug for rocking the dog to a flange released position.

7. In combination with a drawer having an inwardly directed longitudinally extending flange at least at one side thereof, a follower plate, means mounting said follower plate for adjustment along the drawer, a dog rockably mounted on said follower plate and having portions disposed above and below said flange whereby rocking of the dog in one direction causes the same to grip the flange and rocking of the dog in an opposite direction effects its release from said flange, spring means tending constantly to rock said dog in the direction first mentioned, and a member rockably mounted on the plate and directly engaged with the dog for rocking the latter to a flange released position.

8. In combination, a filing drawer having bottom and side walls, an inturned longitudinally extending flange on a side wall of the drawer, a follower plate shiftable in the filing space provided by the said bottom and side walls, and

means for releasing and locking said follower in a selected position in the drawer, said means comprising a member rockably supported on the follower plate and including a body having spaced laterally offset portions disposed astride the flange, spring means tending to rock said member in a direction normally to cause the offset portions to grip the upper and lower sides of the flange, and a manually manipulated member rockably carried by the follower plate and engaged with said member for rocking the same against the effect of said spring means to cause the offset portions to disengage the flange.

FRANK J. MALAT. GLENN THEODORE GOURLEY. 

